Blue Monday's Daring Blog

I suspect it didn’t help that my upbringing was rather conservative. Sex was not discussed, there was no conversational innuendo and any kissing on TV precipitated a rapid and furtive change of channels. Clear preference was expressed for nature documentaries. My Dad’s paternal duty was done one day in his workshop when the rudimentary details were discussed without eye contact and all a bit too functional. Boys of that age know when there was something being withheld. Why use matt paint on woodwork when gloss is clearly preferable?

The situation was further complicated by an outbreak of adolescent acne. Growing pains par excellence. Painful and unsightly. Or at least a 16 year old thought so. Who wants to go out with a boy with spots? My mind convinced me no one. Possibly se ... [more]